Summary
The first report from an inquiry into the Post Office Horizon IT scandal reveals the severe impact on sub-postmasters wrongly accused of financial crimes due to faulty data. The report also highlights that the Post Office and Fujitsu were aware of errors in the IT system but continued to rely on it, leading to wrongful prosecutions.
Key Facts
- The inquiry report details significant suffering experienced by sub-postmasters wrongly accused of stealing and false accounting.
- More than 13 people might have taken their own lives due to the scandal, and many others have reported mental health struggles.
- The Post Office was aware that its Horizon IT system had errors but continued to use it for prosecuting people.
- The inaccuracies in the data led to the wrongful conviction of around 1,000 people, with only about 50 to 60 being acquitted.
- The report states that the behavior of the Post Office and Fujitsu, the IT provider, was unacceptable.
- Compensation schemes for affected sub-postmasters have faced delays and issues, leaving many dissatisfied.
